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Ch. 5 - Life in the Greenhouse
Belk, Maier - Biology: Science for Life 6th Edition
Belk, Maier6th EditionBiology: Science for LifeISBN: 9780135214084Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBelk, Maier 6th EditionCh. 5 - Life in the GreenhouseProblem 8
Chapter 5, Problem 8

Which of the following human activities generates the most carbon dioxide?
a. Driving
b. Cooking
c. Bathing
d. Using aerosol sprays

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the primary source of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in each activity. For example, driving involves burning fossil fuels, which releases CO₂, while cooking, bathing, and using aerosol sprays may involve less direct or indirect CO₂ emissions.
Understand that driving typically involves the combustion of gasoline or diesel in internal combustion engines, which produces significant amounts of CO₂ as a byproduct of burning hydrocarbons.
Analyze the other activities: cooking may involve burning natural gas or using electricity (which could indirectly produce CO₂ depending on the energy source), bathing primarily involves heating water (again, potentially using electricity or gas), and aerosol sprays no longer use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) but do not directly emit CO₂.
Compare the scale and frequency of CO₂ emissions from each activity. Driving generally occurs over longer durations and involves higher energy consumption compared to the other activities, making it a larger contributor to CO₂ emissions.
Conclude that driving is the activity that generates the most carbon dioxide among the options provided, due to the direct combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas primarily produced by human activities, especially through the burning of fossil fuels. Understanding the sources of CO2 emissions is crucial for evaluating their impact on climate change. Different activities release varying amounts of CO2, with transportation and energy production being significant contributors.
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Fossil Fuels and Combustion

Fossil fuels, such as gasoline and natural gas, are major energy sources that release CO2 when burned. Activities like driving a car involve combustion of these fuels, leading to substantial CO2 emissions. In contrast, cooking and bathing typically produce less CO2, depending on the energy source used.
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Comparative Analysis of Activities

To determine which human activity generates the most CO2, a comparative analysis of the emissions from each option is necessary. This involves assessing the frequency and intensity of each activity, as well as the type of energy used. For instance, driving generally results in higher emissions compared to cooking or bathing, making it a key factor in this analysis.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Stomata on a plant's surface ________.

a. Prevent oxygen from escaping.

b. Produce water as a result of photosynthesis.

c. Cannot be regulated by the plant.

d. Allow carbon dioxide uptake into leaves.

e. Are found in stacks called thylakoids.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following does not occur during the light reactions of photosynthesis?

a. Water is released.

b. Electrons from chlorophyll are moved to a higher-energy state by light.

c. ATP is produced.

d. NADPH is produced to carry electrons to the light-independent reactions.

e. Oxygen is produced when water is split.

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is a false statement about photosynthesis?

a. During the light-independent reactions, electrons and ATP from the light reactions combine with atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce sugars.

b. The light-independent reactions take place in the chloroplast stroma.

c. Oxygen produced during the light-independent reactions is released into the atmosphere.

d. Chlorophyll absorbs blue and red light and reflects green light.

e. The end product of photosynthesis is a carbohydrate such as glucose.

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Textbook Question

Photorespiration occurs ________.

a. Under hot and dry conditions.

b. When oxygen is incorporated in the first step of the light-independent reactions.

c. When carbon dioxide levels are high inside the plant.

d. A and B are correct.

e. A, B, and C are correct.

Textbook Question

Select the true statement regarding metabolism in plant and animal cells.

a. Plant and animal cells both perform photosynthesis and aerobic respiration.

b. Animal cells perform aerobic respiration only, and plant cells perform photosynthesis only.

c. Plant cells perform aerobic respiration only, and animal cells perform photosynthesis only.

d. Plant cells perform cellular respiration and photosynthesis, and animal cells perform aerobic respiration only.